Cotati’s Asiana Market has been burglarized for the third time in four years, raising concerns within the community about potential targeting. While police have found no evidence of a hate crime, the incidents have prompted discussion about the broader context of anti-Asian sentiment.
A recent survey found that 49% of Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the U.S. were victims of a hate act in 2023. Local organizations, like the Asian American Pacific Islander Coalition of North Bay, are working to address these concerns, improve communication between law enforcement and the Asian business community, and combat the effects of intergenerational trauma stemming from past discrimination and refugee experiences. The group is also working to disseminate information, particularly to the two-thirds of Sonoma County’s Asian population who are foreign-born.
The recent increase in anti-Asian hate crimes during and after the pandemic, along with the current political climate, has contributed to a heightened sense of vigilance within the community.
